How to Use a Router to Cut Biscuit Slots

A biscuit slot is a woodcutting technique used to join two pieces of wood together. Once the slots are cut, a thin sliver of wood called a biscuit is used to glue the joints together. Biscuit slots are traditionally cut by biscuit cutters, specialized tools designed to cut standard-sized slots in wood. If you do not have a biscuit cutter, a router and a slot bit will do the work without the need to invest in a new machine.

Ruler
5/32-inch slot bit
Canned air
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Outline the biscuit slots where you need them. When joining two boards mark two biscuit slots equidistant from each other and either edge of the board. Center all biscuit slots on the thickness of the board.
- 2
  Attach the slot cutter bit to the router.
- 3
  Place the wood on the router's table.
- 4
  Turn the router on. Center the mark you made in step one over the slot cutter bit's spinning blade. Raise or lower the blade if necessary to cut in the center of the edge of the board. Slowly guide the wood into the blade until you reach the edge of the bit. Stop the router. Pull the board away.
- 5
  Blow the dust out of the biscuit slot with canned air.
- 6
  Insert the biscuit into the slot. Routers tend to cut biscuit slots a fraction of an inch more shallow than the biscuit. Mark and cut off the excess fractional inch with a utility knife.

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